Doughnut machine



March 16, 1943.

A. s. T. LAGAARD DOUGHNUT MACHINE 4filed Jan.y 27, 1941 6 ASheets-Sheet 1' man1 d r Wu man L Tw S Y im a x m Mrchl, 1943. A. s. v1'. I AGAARD DOUGHNUT MACHINE 'Filed Jan. 2v, 194i e sheetsheet 2 Alexander Laaar. w

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March 16, 1943.

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. DOUGHNUT MACHINE` Filed Jan. 27, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 16'1 Mw W, m w; 256128 u 11a Alexander SIT. Lagaa'rd www March 16, 1943.

A. s. T. I AGAARD DOUGHNUT' MACHINE Filed Jan. 27, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 274 w; zza. #uA i15- LL'I glwwtm S."l'l lfgaard Patented Mar. 16, 1943 UNi'i'ED OFFICE DOUGHNUT MACHINE Application January 27, 1941, Serial No. 376,135

11 Claims.

My invention relates to doughnut machines and has for an object to provide a doughnut Inachine which will be extremely practical in use.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a doughnut machine having a dough cutter` adapted to accurately sever definite amounts of dough.

An object of the invention resides in providing a dough cutter by means of which the dough formations are maintained in proper form during deposit in the cooking kettle.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing a doughnut machine having a dough cutter which quickly releases the dough formations into the cooking liquid.

A feature of the invention resides in providing a dough cutter having a movable cutting element, together with means for forcing the dough through the cutter and in providing mechanism for rapidly moving the movable element of the dough cutter from one position to the other.

A feature of the invention resides in providing an operating mechanism for operating the dough cutter` and in providing resilient means operating in conjunction with the dough cutter for causing the mechanism to rapidly operate the cutter.

Another object of the invention resides in providing cam means and a pair of cam followers for cooperation with the cam means, each of said followers being urged into engagement with the cam means by said resilient means.

An object of the invention resides in providing means for transferring control of the cutter from one cam follower to the other.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a construction for removably supporting the dough cutter so as to give access thereto.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details ofconstruction hereinafter illustrated and/or described.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a doughnut machine illustrating an embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and drawn to a greater scale.

Fig. 3 is a plan sectional viewof the transmission housing and transmission with the cover removed and drawn to a greater scale than Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an elevational sectional view taken on line of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an elevational sectional view taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 3. Y

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevational sectional Cil view similar to Fig. 5 showing the parts in altered positions.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing the parts in still different positions.

In the construction of dough cutters for doughnut machines using a tubular duct having a discharge outlet and a sleeve valve member, or its equivalent cooperating therewith for severing the dough extrusions and controlling the extrusion of dough through the outlet, the customary practice has been to employ a cam and a cam follower for operating the sleeve. In such construction the cam has to climb the cam surface in moving from one of its positions to the other. Due to the fact that the slope of the cam has to be limited, an appreciable length of time is required for both opening and closing of the valve member. In the instant invention the cam follower is urged into engagement with the cam surface by resilient means which permits of constructing the cam surface with an abrupt break or irregularity in the same, which the cam follower follows so as to procure rapid operation of the dough cutter. In the instant invention this principal is utilized, both in connection with the movement of the valve member to opening position as well as to closing position, so as to permit of substantially equal extrusion of the dough for each cycle of operation of the dough cutter.

In the drawings I have shown a doughnut machine A which consists of a case I 0 constructed with end walls I I and I 2, and side walls I3 and I4 connected therewith. The case includes uprights I5 and I6 at the corners of the case which extend throughout the height of the case and to which the various walls are attached. The w-alls are preferably constructed of sheet metal and are directly secured to the uprights I5 and I6. The case IG further includes upper and lower frames I'I which are channel-shaped in cross section, and which extend perimetrically about the case and to which the uprights I5 and I6 are attached. The walls of the case are also attached to these frames.

Within the case I is disposed a cooking kettle i8 which is preferably of cast metal and which is constructed with a bottom I 9 and with vertical walls 2| extending upwardly therefrom. The vertical walls are connected at their upper ends with upper walls 22 and the various walls and bottom are so arranged as to form a channel 23 which extends throughout the major portion of the kettle and which provides a way along which the doughnuts may travel. The kettle I8 has one corner of the same removed, as designated at 24, leaving a main portion 25 of the width of the case i9 and of a length equal to about twothirds of the length of the same. This construction provides an extension 26 to the kettle which extends up to the end wall l2. The kettle I8 is constructed with a ledge 21 extending about the margin of the same which terminates in a lip 28 projecting upwardly from the extreme edge thereof. A guard 29 on the case E8 issues inwardly from the walls thereof and overlies the lip 28 thereby protecting the same and at the same time being spaced therefrom to retard transmission of heat from the kettle to the case.

This guard is attached to the upper frame I1.

The kettle i3 is supported on the frame l1 through supporting blocks 3i which are situated at spaced intervals throughout the length of the kettle and which rest directly upon said frame.

The channel 23 of kettle I8 is arranged to provide a straight run 32 which starts in close proximity to wall I2 and follows along wall I3. Channel 23 at the end of the run 32, makes a curve 33 which leads into another straight run 34 following along the wall l l. At the end of this run the channel has another curve 35 which leads into still another straight run 35, which follows along the wall I4. t the end of the run 35 the channel is constructed with a loop 31 which is connected to another straight run 38. Run 33 extends obliquely of the kettle and terminates in a curve 39 which, in turn, is connected to a short straight run 4i parallel with the run 3f! and closely positioned relative thereto. This run is connected to a curve d2 which, in turn, is connected to a straight run 43 parallel with the run 32 and disposed in close proximity thereto. The run 3 discharges into a reservoir 44 which is merely an enlargement of said run. In this reservoir a short run l5 is provided which is connected by a curve 46 with the end of the run 32.

The major portion of kettle i3 is enclosed by means of a hood 41. This hood utilizes the uprights i5 at the end wall Il and two other uprights 48 which are attached to the case IB at the locality of the end of the major portion 25 of the kettle formed by the corner 24. Between the various uprights are provided glass panels 49 which are slidably supported in guides 5I whereby the said panels may be removed. Hood 41 includes a top by means of which the major portion 25 of the kettle is enclosed and which has not been shown in the drawings.

In the reservoir 44 is provided a vertical tubular duct 52 which communicates at its lower end with the bottom of the reservoir M. In this duct is disposed an impeller or elevator 53 which is mounted on the armature shaft of a motor 54. The duct 52 communicates at its upper end with the run i5 of channel 23, thus discharging the cooking liquid from the reservoir d4 and into the run d5 of the channel from which it flows throughout the runs of the channel and is returned into the reservoir 44.

At the portion of the frame I, adjacent wall l2, is provided a channel member 55 which rests upon the upper frame I1. This channel member is constructed with one reach 51 which follows along the portion of the frame l1 to which the side wall I3 is attached and with another reach designated by the reference numeral 5B which follows along the portion of the frame I1 to which the end wall l2 is attached. The former reach 51 terminates at the upright LES, whilethe latter reach 56 terminates at a locality in proximity to the wall of the kettle defined by the corner 24 of the same.

This channel member is rigidly secured to the frame I1 by bolts 58. Attached to the uppermost portion of the channel member 55 is a plate 59 constructed of heavy sheet material which forms a table on which portions of the mechanism of the doughnut machine rests. The table 59 has an opening 6G in it adapted to be closed by the motor 54 and through which the impeller 53 may be inserted into the tubular duct 52.

In the table 59 is formed another opening 6| which is situated above the run 32 of channel 23 and at the beginning of the same. A portion of the dough cutter extends through this opening, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

Attached to the table 53, on either side of the opening 6l, are two bosses 62 which are secured thereto by means of screws 53 extending through the table and screwed into the said bosses. These bosses have bores 54 formed in the upper ends of the same and are threaded .to receive thumb screws 65. Detachably secured to the bosses 52 is a support 13 for a dough receptacle 56 which will be presently described in detail. The support 13 includes a collar 1d having `two legs 15 extending downwardly therefrom. These legs are spaced apart the same distance as the bosses 52 and rest upon the same. The legs 15 have dowel pins 'i5 issuing from the undersides thereof which are received in the lbores 54 of the said bosses. The set screws G5 are adapted to engage grooves 11 in the said dowel pins whereby the said pins are held from movement. In this manner the support 13 is rigidly attached to the bosses 62 and table 59. It will be noted that the two legs 15 and the bosses 52 straddle the opening 6| in the table 59.

The dough receptacle 5B comprises a cylindrical wall 31 and a hopper-shaped bottom 68 connected thereto. The upper end of the receptacle 65 is open and is provided with a flange 59 encircling the same. At the center of the hopper-shaped bottom is provided a tapered tubular neck 1I which is adapted to t into a conical socket 12 formed in the collar 14 of support 13. The upper end of the receptacle is closed by means of a cover 18 which makes a fluid-tight connection with the flange 69 of the receptacle by means of a gasket 19. The cover 18 is held in position by means of a clamp 8i having hooks 82 which extend under and engage the underside of the ange 69. A screw 83 threaded into the clamp 2| engages the cover 18 and forces the said cover downwardly to procure a duid-tight connection between the cover and receptacle. This screw has attached to it a handle or knob 84 by means of which the same may be easily rotated.

The dough cutter of the invention is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 85. This cutter comprises a tubular duct 85 which is formed at one end with threads 81 adapted to screw into threads 88 formed in the collar 1li of the support 13. The duct 88 has a collar 81 on the same which fits up against a shoulder 88 on the underside of the collar 14. Holes 89 in the said collar for engagement with a Spanner wrench serve to rotate the duct 86 and to attach and remove the same from the support 13. When the duct 86 and the receptacle 66 are mounted as shown in Fig. 2, a passageway 'Si is provided leading from the receptacle 63 and through the said duct and communicating with the exterior through the open end of the said duct.

Extending across the interior of the duct 86, near the upper end thereof, is a bridge 32. This bridge has attached to it a stem 93 which has secured to the lower end thereof a disc-like die head 54. This head is of substantially the same diameter as the outer diameter of the duct 86 and is disposed below the lower edge 95 of the said duct to form an outlet 96 for the passageway 9|. The lower edge 95 of the said duct is beveled, as indicated in Fig. 2, to readily direct the dough outwardly through the outlet 36 without appreciable friction.

Slidably mounted upon the exterior of the duct S6 is a sleeve 81 which serves as a valve member for opening and closing outlet 95. This sleeve has a tapered end 98 which is adapted to engage the die-head 94. When the sleeve is in the position shown in Fig. 2 the outlet 96 is closed and dough prevented from being extruded from the cutter. When the sleeve is raised so that the end 98 thereof recedes from the head 94, dough is caused to flow outwardly through the outlet 96 in annular formation. When the sleeve 91 is thereafter lowered the end 93 thereof severs the dough so extruded and discharges the same into the cooking liquid below the cutter. The sleeve 91 has a collar 96 on the upper portion thereof which is constructed with a groove by means of which the said sleeve may be reciprocated along the duct 85. In order to force the dough out of the outlet S compressed air is directed into the upper end of the receptacle 66 through an air inlet |62. A compressor or any other suitf able source of compressed air may be used for furnishing the air to the receptacle.

The sleeve 91 of cutter 85 is reciprocated by means of a rock shaft |63 which is mounted for oscillation in a bearing |64 secured to the table 59 by means of screws |55. This bearing supports the outer end of the said shaft. The inner end of the shaft is supported for oscillation in a manner to be presently described. The rock shaft |53 has loosely mounted on it a fork |66, best shown in Fig. 1. This fork has pins |61 on the ends thereof which are received in the groove ||J| of sleeve 91. Rigidly secured on the rock shaft |63, outwardly of the fork |66, is an arm I 03 which has mounted in it a lock pin |59. The lock pin |69 is adapted to be moved into engagement with the fork |66 and, when so positioned, procures movement of the fork with the arm upon oscillation of rock shaft |63. The arm |68 holds the fork |66 from endwise movement in one direction. A collar on rock shaft |63 and positioned adjacent the fork |65 on the other end of the same holds the said fork from movement in the opposite direction.

The rock shaft |53 is driven by a transmission which is contained within a case ||2 resting upon the upper frame l1 and disposed in the corner 24 of kettle I8. This case and the transmission within the same is best shown in Figs. 3 to 7 inclusive. The case 2 includes a lateral wall structure H3 having four walls H4, I 5, |`|6 and |1 and being open at the top and bottom. These walls are closed at the top by a cover H8 which is secured to the said walls by means of countersunk screws H9 threaded into bosses |2| formed on said walls. In a similar man-ner a closure or bottom E22 is provided for the lowermost portion of the case |12, which bottom is attached to the wall structure i3 by means of screws |23 which are threaded into bosses |24 formed on the wall structure l! 3. The case ||2 is provided with pads |25 formed on the bottom |22, which pads rest upon the upper frame I1 and are secured thereto by means of screws |26. These screws pass through the uppermost flanges of the frame members of frame I1 and are threaded into said pads.

The bottom |22 of case |2 has attached to the underside thereof an electric motor |21 having a vertical shaft |28. Motor |21 is constructed with an end bell |29 provided with a flange |3| adapted to engage a ring |32 cast on the underside of the bottom |22. Screws |33 extending through the flange |3| are threaded into the ring |32 and hold the motor |21 attached to the bottom |22. Motor |21 may be of any desirable construction and the details thereof have not been shown in the drawings. The shaft |28 of the motor |21 passes through a seal |34 and into the chamber |35 formed within the interior of the case ||2.

Issuing from the wall ||6 of case ||2 are two bearing supports |36 and |31. 'Ihe bearing support |36 has attached to it a bearing |38 for the lower end of a vertically extending shaft |39. This shaft is journaled in its upper end in a ball bearing |4| which serves as an end thrust bearing for restraining longitudinal movement of the shaft |39. This bearing is mounted in the bearing support |31. Shaft |36 has secured to the lower end thereof a spur gear |42 which meshes with a pinion |43 fast on the shaft |28 of motor |21. Shaft |35 has formed on it a worm |44 which meshes with a worm wheel |45 keyed to a horizontally extending shaft |46. Shaft |46 extends completely across the case and is journaled in bearings |41 and |48 formed on the walls ||1 and H5 of said case. Within the chamber |35 of case ||2 is mounted a rock shaft |5| which is parallel with the shaft |46. This rock shaft is journaled for rotation in two bearings |52 and |53 formed in the walls ||1 and ||5 of case ||2. The said shaft is in alignment with the rock shaft |63 and is coupled to it by means of a coupling |54. The inner end of the shaft |03 is thus journaled through the bearing |53 for shaft |5|. The shaft 5| has rigidly secured to it an arm |55 which carries a roller |56. The shaft |5| is rocked by means of a construction now to be described which engages the roller |56 and swings the shaft |5| first in one direction and then in the opposite direction to procure proper operation of the dough cutter 35.

Mounted on the shaft |46 in close proximity to one another are two cams |51 and |58. These cams are keyed to the shaft |46 and rotate continuously with the same. These cams give mo-tion to the roller |56 of arm |55 as will be presently explained. Issuing inwardly from the wall ||6 of case H2 is a bracket |59. Two arms |6| and |62 straddle the shaft |46 and the cams |51 and |58 and have struts |63 thereon which are pivoted to the brackets |59 by means of a pintle |64 screwed to the same. The arm |6| has a cam follower |65 on it which engages the cam |58, and is free from the cam |51. The arm |62 has formed on it'cam follower |56 which engages the cam |51 and is free from the cam |58. The two arms |6| and |62 are formed with spring seats |61 and |66 supporting therebetween a compression coil spring |69. TlL's coil spring urges the cam followers |65 and |66 into engagement with the surfaces of the two cams |51 and |58.

The ends of the arms |6| and |62 opposite the spring seats |61 and |68 are formed with heads |1| and |12 which have facing surfaces |13 and |14 disposed in spaced relation to one another. These surfaces engage the roller |56 and serve to swing the arm |55 and shaft |5| in opposite directions. A compression coil spring |15 seated in one end against the head |1| and at its other end against a spring seat |76 secured to the wall I|4 of case H2, urges the arm ISI to swing toward the cam |58 and the surface |14 of the head I|| toward the roller |56. A limit .screw Ill .screwed into the head |12 engages the head Ying portions |89 and I9|.

The operation of the mechanism for actuating the cutter 85 is as follows: Assuming the parts to be arranged as shown in Fig. 5. The cam follower |56 is now on the circular portion |83 of cam |51 and is about to drop into the notch |82 of said cam at the abrupt drop |82. Cam follower !65 is still riding upon the circular portion |85 of cam |58. The arm |55 is positioned as shown with the roller |55 engaging the surface |13 of head I'l2. In this position the cutter sleeve Sl is in its lowermost position as shown in Fig. 2 and the cutter is closed. As soon as the shaft |45 has rotated a slight amount in the direction indicated by the arrow, cam follower |55 will have dropped into the notch 32. Such movement is caused by the spring |65 which urges the cam follower Hit` to follow the surface of the cam I 51. Such movement will be exceedingly rapid and the surface |13 of head |'l2 will swing the roller |56 upwardly oscillating arm |55 and shaft I! in a clockwise direction. Such movement of the shaft will raise the cutter sleeve 0l and open the outlet 95. Due to the air pressure in the receptacle 55 dough will be extruded outwardly through the outlet 9S in anniuar formation, such extrusion continuing as long as sleeve 91 is in its uppermost position. In such position the roller, as shown in Fig. 6, will be in close proximity to the surface |14 of head |'s| and the limit screw lll will engage the said head. As the shaft continues to rotate follower |65 continues to ride along the surface of cam |51 in the notch |82 and remains without movement. When the cam follower |65 reaches the drop lill in cam |58, spring |15 will urge the follower to move inwardly. Inasmuch as the two arms |51 and |52 have been urged together through spring |65 until the limit screw lll engages the head I'lI, the two arms now move as a unit being unaffected in their movement by spring |59, said movement being caused solely by spring |l'5. Such movement of the arms swings the roller |56 downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 7. On account of thelimit screw |`l'| arm |52 is also swung downwardly to a position such that the cam follower thereof is clear of the circular portion |84 of the cam l5?. To accomplish this, the cam follower |55 moves inwardly a slightly greater amount than the cam follower IBS. As the shaft MS rotates further, follower |56 is brought into a position to be engaged by the circular portion |84 of cam |51. In such a position the arm |62 is restrained from inward movement and held in place while the follower rides along such surface. During the following movement of the cams, the cam follower |55 rides along the spiraling portion |89 of the cam surface of cam |52, .thus swinging the arm |6| outwardly. `Arm A|162 being held from movement, movement of arm 6| compresses both springs |69 and |15 at the s-ame time. When the cam follower V| vreaches the circular portion |86 of ycam V|58 the mechanism is again ready to be operated. The next time the operation occurs in the diametrally opposed notches, instead of the notches originally referred to. In this Inanner two dough formations may be severed for each revolution of the shaft Ill, the lpurpose of which will be subsequently described in detail.

In the run 35 of channel 23 is arranged a twisted tubular turner |92. This turner inverts the doughnuts after the same have been cooked a .predetermined time so that the doughnuts may be cooked equally on both sides. Such construction being well known in the art, will not be described in detail in this application. It is to be noted, however, that the turner |52 inclines in the direction of the cooking liquid so that the bottom E9 of the kettle at the run 4| is considerably lower than the run 34.

In the run 15.3 of channel 23 is disposed an ejector' |93 for removing the cooked doughnuts from the cooking liquid. This ejector comprises a shaft |94 which is constantly driven in a manner to be presently described. This shaft has mounted on it oppositely extending cranks |95 and |95. Sets of toothed blades |51 and |98 are mounted on the said cranks and are adapted to alternately raise and lower and also move in a longitudinal direction as the sha-ft |54 rotates. The lower ends of these blades slide upon an inclined rest |99 which is mounted on the bottom I9 of kettle |8 in the portion of the run i3 leading from the curve 42. It will be readily comprehended that, as the doughnuts reach the said blades. the doughnuts are elevated and progressed upwardly and outwardly of the kettle IE. The ejector |93 is disposed within a trough 35| constructed with two side plates which extend outwardly .beyond the wall |2 of the case I and directs the doughnuts out of the machine.

The ejector |93 is driven from the shaft |39 of the transmission in the following manner: Shaft |94 of said ejector extends through a tubular housing 252 which is provided with a flange 283 at one end. This flange is secured to the wall IE5 of case i|2 by means of screws 234. The housing 2&2 is provided at its outer end with a bearing 255, which journals one end of the shaft |94. The other end of this shaft extends into the chamber |35 of case |2 and is journaled in a bearing 255 issuing outwardly from the wall IIS of case |l2. The shaft |94 has mounted on it a spiral gear 251 which meshes with another spiral gear 298 formed on the shaft |39. These gears are so proportioned that the shaft IS'. travels at a suitable speed to alternately raise the toothed blades |91 and |98 and procure ejection of the doughnuts.

For controlling the rate of travel of the doughnuts along the channel 23 two control devices 2I| and 2|2 are employed. These control devices operate to allow the doughnuts, one at a time, to enter the turner |92 and the ejector |93, whereby the degree of the cooking of the doughnuts on both sides may be controlled. The control device 2| is situated in the run 34 of channel 23, while the control device 'I9 is situated in the run 4| of channel 23.

Inasmuch as the control devices 2I| and 2I2 do not form any particular feature of the instant application for patent, the said devices have not been shown in detail in the drawings and the same will not be described, reference to be had to the patent issued to Alexander S. T. Lagaard for Doughnut machine, Number 2,207,546. It will be noted, however, that the control device 2| is operated by a shaft 2|3 and that the control device 2|2 is operated from the control device 2| through the same shaft. It will also be noted that each control device rocks alternately in one direction and then in the other direction to allow the doughnuts, one at a time, to pass said devices. This is accomplished by periodically oscillating the shaft 2|3 which is procured in a manner to be presently described in detail.

In order to procure suicient cooking time for the doughnuts in advance of each control device, when the machine is rst started, it becomes necessary to prevent travel of the doughnuts until the desired number of doughnuts are in the machine. For this purpose the two control devices 2|| and 2|2 may be independently disconnected from or connected to the shaft 2|3 by clutch devices not shown which are operated by means of operating rods 2|4 and 2|5 which extend outwardly of the machine and which have knobs 2|6 at their outer ends.

The mechanism for operating the control devices 2|| and 2|2 is best shown in Figs. 3 to '1 inclusive. Connected to the shaft 2|3 by means of a universal joint 2|1 is a floating shaft 2|8. This shaft is connected by means of a universal joint 2|9 with another shaft 22| extending through the wall ||4 of case ||2 and into the chamber |35. Within the chamber |35 of case ||2 is formed an elongated boss 222, Figs. 3 and 4, which is provided with bearings for journaling the shaft 22|. This shaft has secured to the inner end of it a bevel gear 223 which meshes with another bevel gear 224 fast on a shaft 225 extending horizontally across the case ||2. The latter shaft is journaled in bearings 226 carried by side walls |1 and ||5 of the case, as best shown in Fig. 3.

Attached to the wall ||1 of case ||2, near the uppermost portion of the same, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, is a stud 221. Mounted for oscillation on this stud is a lever 228 which has a depending arm 229. Arm 229 is formed with a gear segment 23| which meshes with a pinion 232 fast on the shaft 225. Lever 228 is further formed with an arm 233 which carries at the end of it a roller 234 adapted to engage the surface 235 ofa disc cam 236. Cam 236 is keyed to the shaft |46 and has two depressions in it by means of which the control device may be twice operated foreach revolution of the shaft |46. The roller 234 is urged against the surface 235 of cam 236 by means of a spring 24D which is contained within a spring housing 231 and which acts between the wall ||6 of the case ||2 and against the arm 229 of said lever. The housing 231 is slidably mounted at one end in a boss 238 formed on the wall l |6 and is constructed with a fork 239 at its other end which straddles the arm 229 and is pivoted to it by means of a pin 24|.

With the present invention the doughnut machine may be operated at full capacity or onehalf capacity, by means of the construction now to be described.

Extending across the walls ||1 and ||5 of case ||2 is a shaft 242. bearings 243 formed in the case. This shaft has secured to it a finger 244, best shown in Fig. 5, which is disposed in proximity to the spring seat |68 on arm |62. The said finger is adapted to This shaft is journaled in engage a lug 245 formed on the spring seat |68 when the said lever is rocked in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5. When so positioned the said arm prevents movement of the lever |62 ina manner to swing the shaft |5| in a clockwise direction. Thus the cutter sleeve 91 is maintained in a closing position preventing the extrusion of dough through the outlet 96.

The shaft 242 is urged into the position shown in Fig. 5 by means of a spring 245 which is contained in a spring housing 241 attached to the wall IIS of case ||2. This spring engages a plunger 248 slidable in the housing 241 which is pivoted to an arm 249 on the shaft 242'. Arm 249 has a stop 25| on it which engages the wall ||6 of case H2 and limits the movement of the shaft 242 to its position shown in Fig. 5.

The shaft 242 is rocked in its bearings in the following manner: Attached to the said shaft is an arm 252 which is provided with a cam follower which is in the form of a roller 253 at the end thereof, best shown in Fig. 4. This roller is adapted to engage a cam 254, slidably mounted on the shaft |46. Cam 254 has a pin 255 secured to it which passes through holes 256 in the cams |51 and |58. By means of this construction the cam 254 is keyed relative to the shaft |46 and may move axially with respect thereto.

The cam 254 is shifted longitudinally by means ofthe following construction: Extending downwardly from the cover ||8 of case ||2 is a boss 251 which is drilled to form a bearing for a shaft 258, best shown in Fig. 4. This shaft extends outwardly beyond the cover and has secured to it a nger piece 259 by means of which the said shaft may be rotated. Shaft 258 also extends below the boss 251 and has secured to its lower end an arm 26|. This arm has attached to the end of it a pin 262 which engages within a groove 263 in the hub 264 formed on cam 254. When the shaft 258 is rotated through engagement with the finger piece 259 the pin 262 shifts the hub 264 along the shaft |46. This moves the cam 254 in a position to be engaged by the roller 253 or to a position free therefrom. The cam 254 has a depression 265 in it which, when thev roller 253 is opposite said depression, withdraws the finger 244 from engagement with the lug 245. This allows the cutter to function in the normal manner, thus operating twice for each revolution of the shaft |46. When the roller 253 engages the raised portion of the cam 254, the cutter is restrained from movement.

For restraining movementv of the control devices 2|| and 2|2 another arm is provided on the shaft 242 which is adapted to engage a suitable lug on the spring housing 231. This construction having been illustrated in the patent issued to Stephen A. Gardner, July 9, 1940 for Doughnut machine, Number 2,207,584 and disclosed in Fig. 6 thereof the same has not been illustratedrin this application. It will, however, be' comprehended that, as the shaft 242 oscillates, the spring housing 231 is restrained for movement at the same time that the arm |62 is restrained lfrom movement.

The operation of the invention generally is as follows: The channel 23 in kettle |8 is first filled with cooking liquid. This liquid is maintained at a suitable temperature for cooking by means of a heater disposed beneath the kettle and which has not been shown in the drawings. Motor 54 is then started which causes operation of the impeller 53. Circulation of the cooking liquid in the channel now commences. The motor |21- is now energized and the shaft |45 of the transmission mechanism set in operation. This procures operation of the ejector |93 and the shaft 2|3 for operating the control devices 2H and 2|2. In addition, the shaft |93 is periodically oscillated. The clutch formed by the arm |08 and the lock pin |09 is, however, maintained open so that the cutter 85 is normally inoperative. The receptacle 66 is filled with dough and air pressure applied to the same. As soon as the lock pin |09 is brought into engagement with the fork the cutter operates and dough extrusions are deposited in the flowing cooking liquid in the channel 23. Operation of the cutter, as previously explained, is produced by rapid opening and closing of the sleeve 91 which causes accurate severance of dough formations of predetermined size and weight. At the outset the two clutches operated by the operating rods 2 I4 and 2I5 are disconnected so that neither of the control devices 2|| or 2|2 are functioning. As the doughnuts travel along the drop plate 255 in channel 32 the same commence to fry and become arrested when they engage the control 21|. After the required number of doughnuts have been accumulated in back of the control device 2| the clutch operated by the operating rod 2|4 is connected and the control device 2H commences to function. This device then allows the doughnuts, one at a time, to enter and pass through the turner |32. The same procedure is adopted with the control device 2|2, said control device being rst disconnected and subsequently actuated upon the required number of doughnuts having accumulated in back of the same. When the said control device commences to function the doughnuts are completely fried and are delivered to the ejectorJSS and discharged from the device.

If the finger piece 259 is in a position such that the cam 254 is free from the roller 253, each of the irregularities in the cams |51 and |58 and in the cam 236 are operative to produce two doughnuts for each revolution of the shaft |46. If, however, the finger piece 259 is moved to its opposite position to bring the cam 254 into engagement with roller 253, the rock shaft 242 is rocked so as to bring the finger 244 into engagement with lug 245 and to similarly arrest movement of the spring housing 231. This causes the cutter and control device to remain inoperative during one-half a revolution of the shaft |46 whereby the doughnut machine operates at one-half capacity. It will be noted that, regardless of whether or not the doughnut machinev is operated a full or one-half capacity, the rapidity with which the cutter shaft is oscillated for moving the cutter sleeve remains the same, thus the cutter functions equally as effectively whether the machine is being operated at full or one-half capacity.

The advantages of my invention are manifest. By means of the construction shown the cutter mechanism may be actuated independently of the ow of cooking liquid and independently of the operation of the control devices. By means of the supporting structure for the dough receptacle the receptacle may be easily removed for re-lling. In addition, the support carrying the cutter may be quickly removed from the machine so that cleaning and inspection of the parts can be conveniently accomplished. By means of the two arms having separate cam followers operating to shift the cutter shaft and FCI by procuring movement of the cutter valve member in both directionsr by resilient means rapid opening and closing of the outlet is secured so that dough formations of predetermined weight and size can be readily formed.

Changes in the specic form of my invention, as herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent l. In combination, a dough cutter including a duct for dough provided with an outlet through which dough is extruded, a movable valve member for said outlet movable in one direction to open said outlet to permit of the extrusion of dough therethrough and movable in the opposite direction to sever the extruded dough and close said outlet, a revoluble member, resilient means for instantly moving said valve member in one direction, other resilient means for instantly moving said valve member the other direction, and means operated by i said revoluble member for controlling the action of both cf said resilient means.

2. In combination, a dough cutter including a duct for dough provided with an outlet through which dough is extruded, a movable valve member for said outlet movable in one direction to open said outlet to permit of the extrusion of dough therethrough and movable in the opposite direction to sever the extruded dough and close said outlet, a revoluble member, resilient means for urging said valve member in one direction, a cam operated by said revoluble member for controlling the action of said resilient means, and a cam follower moved by said resilient means and controlling the movement of said valve member, said cam having a cam surface formed with an abrupt irregularity therein freeing said cam follower and procuring rapid movement of said resilient means and theA movable valve member into a closing position.

3. In combination, a dough cutter including a duct for dough provided with an outlet through which dough is extruded, a movable valve member for said outlet movable in one direction to open said outlet to permit of the extrusion of dough therethrough and movable in the opposite direction to sever the extruded dough and close said outlet, a revoluble member, an arm for moving said valve member in one direction, a second arm for moving said valve member in the other direction, a cam, a cam follower engaging said cam and carried by one of said arms, resilient means for urging said cam follower into engagement with said cam, said cam having a surface formed with an abrupt irregularity releasing said cam follower to procure instant movement of said valve member in one direction, a second cam, a second cam follower engaging said second cam and carried by said second arm, resilient means for urging said second cam follower into engagement with said second cam, said second cam having an irregularity in the surface thereof releasing said second follower to procure instant movement of said valve member in the opposite direction.

4. In combination, a dough cutter including a duct for dough provided with an outlet through which dough is extruded, a movable valve member for said outlet movable in one direction to open said outlet to permit of the extrusion of dough therethrough and movable in the oppo-V site direction to sever the extruded dough and close said outlet, a revoluble member, an arm for moving said valve member in one direction, a second arm for moving said valve member in the other direction, a cam, a cam follower engaging said cam and carried by one of said arms, resilient means for urging said cam follower into engagement with said cam, said cam having a surface formed with an abrupt irregularity releasing said cam follower to procure instant movement of said valve member in one direction, a second cam, a second cam follower engaging said second cam and carried by said second arm, resilient means for urging said second cam follower into engagement with said second cam, said second cam having an irregularity in the surface thereof releasing said second follower to procure instant movement of said valve member in the opposite direction, and means for transferring control from one resilient means to the other.

5. In combination, a dough cutter including a duct for dough provided with an outlet through which dough is extruded, a movable valve member for said outlet movable in one direction to open said outlet to permit of the extrusion of dough therethrough and movable in the opposite direction to sever the extruded dough and close said outlet, a movable operating member for moving said valve member from one position to the other, an arm for moving said operating member in one direction, a second arm for moving said operating member in the other direction, a revoluble member, a cam rotatable with said revoluble member, a cam follower on one of said arms for engagement with said cam, a second cam, a cam follower on said second arm for engagement with said second cam, resilient means for urging said rst named follower into engagement with said irst named cam, and resilient means for urging said second named cam follower into engagement with said second named cam.

6. In combination, a dough cutter including a, duct for dough provided with an outlet through which dough is extruded, a movable valve member for said outlet movable in one direction to open said outlet to permit of the extrusion of dough therethrough and movable in the opposite direction to sever the extruded dough and close said outlet, resilient means for instantly moving said valve member in one direction, other resilient means for instantly moving said valve member in the other direction, means for flexing both of said resilient means, and means for successively releasing said resilient means to procure nrst an opening of said valve member and subsequently a closing thereof.

7. In combination, a dough cutter including a duct for dough provided with an outlet through which dough is extruded, a, movable valve member for said outlet movable in one direction to open said outlet to permit of the extrusion of dough therethrough and movable in the opposite direction to sever the extruded dough and close said outlet, a movable operating member for moving said valve member from one position to the other, an arm for moving said operating member in one direction, a second arm for moving said operating member in the other direction, means for holding said arms a distance apart in the locality of engagement with said operating member substantially equal to the movement of said operating member at such locality, a cam, a cam follower on one of said arms for engagement with said cam, a second cam, a cam follower on said second arm for engagement with said second cam, resilient means for urging one of said cam followers into engagement with said cam, and resilient means for urging the other cam follower into engagement with its cam.

8. In combination, a dough cutter including aduct for dough provided with an outlet through which dough is extruded, a movable valve member for said outlet movable in one direction to open said outlet to permit of the extrusion of dough therethrough and movable in the opposite direction to sever the extruded dough and close said outlet, a, movable operating member for moving said valve member from one position to the other, an arm for moving said operating member in one direction, a second arm for mov ing said operating member in the other direction, said arms being spaced apart, a revoluble member disposed betweensaid arms, cam means on said revoluble member, cam followers on said arms for engagement with said cam means, resilient means for moving one of said arms in a direction to urge the cam follower carried thereby into engagement with said cam means, and other resilient means acting between said arms for urging both of said cam followers into engagement with said cam means.

9. In combination, a dough cutter including a duct for dough provided with an outlet through which dough is extruded, a movable valve member for said outlet movable in one direction to open said outlet to permit of the extrusion of dough therethrough and movable in the opposite direction to sever the extruded dough and close said outlet, a movable operating member for moving said valve member from one position to the other, said operating member having an engaging member thereon, a, pair of arms having engaging portions adapted to engage said engaging member, said arms being pivoted for swinging movement about pivot means situated remotely from said engaging portions whereby said engaging portions are guided for movement toward and from said engaging member, a revoluble member disposed between said arms and between said pivot means and engaging member, cam means on said revoluble member, cam followers on said arms for engagement with said cam means, resilient means for urging one of said cams into engagement with said cam means, and resilient means acting between said arms for` urging both of said cam followers into engagement with said cam means.

10. In combination, a dough cutter including a duct for dough provided with an outlet through which dough is extruded, a movable valve member for said outlet movable in one direction to open said outlet to permit of the extrusion of dough therethrough and movable in the opposite direction to sever the extruded dough and close said outlet, a movable operating member for moving said valve member from one position to the other, an arm for moving said operating member in one direction, a second arm for moving said operating member in the other direction, a revoluble member, cam means on said revoluble member, cam followers on said arms for engagement with said cam means, resilient said opening, legs detachably mounted in said bosses and extending upwardly therefrom, a co1'- lar on the uppermost portions of said legs, a receptacle for dough detachably secured to said collar at the upper portion thereof, a dough cutter disposed between said legs and secured to said collar at the lowermost portion thereof, said dough cutter registering with said opening in said support, and being adapted to discharge 10 through said opening and into the receptacle,

ALEXANDER S. T. LAGAARD. 

